In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- CS Kindiki emphasized the need for peaceful and lawful conduct during upcoming rallies, stressing that protestors must remain peaceful, unarmed, and not engage in violence or riot.
- Protestors must inform the police of their plans, follow the law, and avoid disrupting public order, with national security organs ensuring neutrality and firmness in law enforcement.
Speaking ahead of the anticipated rallies, CS Kindiki emphasized the need for peaceful and lawful conduct, underscoring the importance of maintaining public order and safety.
He stressed the constitutional right to demonstrate as outlined in Article 37 but clarified that this right does not extend to rioting or promoting violence.
“Protestors must remain peaceful and unarmed throughout the assembly, demonstration, and any presentation of petitions to authorities,” Kindiki stated.
To ensure the safety and orderliness of the protests, several key conditions were highlighted:
1. Protestors must engage in a manner that does not promote violence or riots, as the right in Article 37 is the right to demonstrate, not the right to riot.
2. Protestors must not breach public order or intimidate, harass, or inconvenience non-protesting members of the public.
3. Protestors must inform the police of their intentions, including the routes they will take, for providing escorts and ensuring law and order during the protests.
4. Protestors must notify the police of the timings of their activities and must cease their activities at sunset or 6:30 pm, whichever is earlier, in accordance with the Public Order Act Cap 57 of the laws of Kenya.
5. Protestors must not provoke, attack, injure, or obstruct law enforcement officers or members of the public.
6. Protestors must follow the escort and other guidelines of law enforcement officers to ensure they are protected from non-protestors and infiltrators.
7. Protestors must not obstruct any form of traffic, including motor vehicles, boda bodas, or bicycles.
8. Protestors must not obstruct, block, vandalize, or destroy any private or public property.
Read Also:
Andrew Kibe Apologizes to Gen Z, Promises to Join Tuesday Protests
#FreeBilly: 50,000+ Kenyans Rally in X Space in Honour of Arrested Influencer Crazy Nairobian
Dennis Itumbi Discloses Why Influencer Crazy Nairobian Was Arrested
Kindiki highlighted that protestors must adhere to the laws of Kenya, including the Protected Areas Act, which limits access to certain critical infrastructure for national security reasons.
He added that the police would guide protestors on which areas are restricted by law.
Additionally, protestors must not access critical assets for the supply of power, water, or other social amenities in a manner likely to interfere with the public’s enjoyment of these services.
They must not interfere with any private activity by non-protestors or disrupt road, rail, sea, or air transport.
Kindiki reiterated the necessity of maintaining the rule of law and public order, noting that non-protestors must also exercise their rights within the same limitations.
He assured that national security organs would remain neutral and apolitical but firm in enforcing the law, with no tolerance for lawlessness.
Reflecting on past protests, Kindiki warned against using demonstrations as a cover for vandalism or violence, citing previous breaches of peace where infrastructure and amenities were damaged.
He concluded by asserting that Kenya could not condone violence in the name of exercising human rights, stating, “Your right and my right end where the right of the next person starts.”